A book is a book, and a very good thing, for all the wisdom and knowledge that makes up its contents. Books are common, everyday tools of leisure, education, and prayer; but not every book is a common thing—the Holy Bible is certainly an extraordinary one; and so too the Breviary of the Catholic priest is a very great book, having its roots in Holy Scripture itself.
The breviary is the lifetime companion of the priest. It is his first act in the morning and his last act at night. Though priests may talk about the breviary, few readers have ever wondered what a breviary might say about itself.
In The Autobiography of an Old Breviary, Rev. Herman J. Heuser offers an imaginative and engaging answer. Written in the first person, the “Totum Roman Breviary”—a full, complete breviary—reflects on its life, its purpose, and its intimate companionship with the priest who uses it. Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, the Totum’s voice reveals both the dignity of the Divine Office and the reverence due to the Church’s liturgical prayer.
Beyond the creative narrative, the book contains a rich exploration of the Hebrew roots of Catholic liturgy, including detailed references to the psalms, their ancient usage, and their place in the breviary. It offers an exacting and well-referenced study of the development of the Roman Breviary, the meaning of its structure, its linguistic background, and its spiritual importance.
Readers will gain:
• A complete history of the Roman Breviary
• An apologia for the faith, the priesthood, and Catholic biblical interpretation
• Insight into the linguistic tradition of the Church
• An illuminating explanation of liturgy and culture through the Kalendorium
• A practical guide to understanding and praying the Breviary
• A deeper devotion to the Divine Office
Both charming and instructive, Autobiography of an Old Breviary invites the faithful into a renewed appreciation of one of the Church’s greatest treasures.
